Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
Semiconductor Sequencing for Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy
Published on: August 25, 2019
[Capacity of monitoring system on birth defects during 1990s in China]
Jia-peng Chen1, Lei Zhang, Gong Chen
1Institute of Population Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Insights
China
Area of Science:
- Birth defects surveillance
- Public health monitoring systems
- Epidemiology of congenital anomalies
Context:
- Birth defect monitoring in China, including hospital-based (Chinese Birth Defects Monitoring Network, CBDMN) and population-based systems, was evaluated.
- Data from 57 monitoring programs were analyzed using the World Atlas of Birth Defects (2nd Edition).
Purpose:
- To assess the status and capacity of birth defect monitoring systems in China during the 1990s.
- Identify limitations in surveillance coverage and data reporting.
Summary:
- Monitoring systems inadequately covered major birth defects like trisomy 13/18 and congenital heart disease.
- High prevalence of 'easily observed' defects (e.g., cleft lip, polydactyly) was noted, while internal defects and chromosomal anomalies were underreported.
- Inconsistent prevalence rates and reporting disparities were observed between different programs and compared to global averages.
Impact:
- Findings indicate poor capacity of both hospital-based and population-based birth defect monitoring in China in the 1990s.
- Highlights the need for improved surveillance strategies to accurately capture the burden of congenital anomalies.
Objective:
To understand the status and capacity of monitoring system on birth defects in China.
Methods:
Data regarding 27 groups of birth defects from 57 monitoring programs in World Atlas of Birth Defects (2nd Edition) published by WHO/ICBDMS/EUROCAT/HGP and descriptive analysis by their ranking and contribution were carried out.
Results:
Both hospital-based (Chinese Birth Defects Monitoring Network, CBDMN) and population-based (Birth Defect Surveillance System in Thirty Counties of Four Provinces, Beijing) monitoring systems showed the same characteristics as below: (1) Not enough groups were monitored, with trisomy 13/18 and congenital heart disease not reported. (2) Prevalence on those 'easily observed' group was high and cleft lip with or without cleft palate in CBDMN ranked 5 among 57 programs, with similar situation in polydactyly. (3) While prevalence rates of internal system and choromosal anomaly were low, CBDMN ranked 56 with Beijing the only non-reported city among all the 57 programs. (4) Unreasonable relationship was seen with prevalence of cleft lip was 5.76,4.02 times higher than that of cleft palate in CBDMN and in Beijing program. Which was 1.58 times of the world's means. Prevalence rates of anencephaly and total anotia/microtia rose 10.39% while spina bifida, hydrocephaly, and gastroschisis had a 4%-5% increase. The prevalence of hypospadias decreased by 4.13% and Down syndrome by 3.02%.
Conclusion:
The capacity of birth defects monitoring, both hospital-based and population-based, was poor in the 1990s, in China.
